European Union figures such as Barnier, Verhofstadt and Von Der Leyen tell its members on the continent that they are one still one unified club following Britain’s departure from the bloc. However, with Italy entering its second week in lockdown many would expect that its fellow European Union countries would be assisting and send their friend’s vital supplies. The Italians have asked but nothing has been forthcoming
The Union Civil Protection Mechanism is the name under which the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre works. It monitors natural and manmade disasters and when an EU member state can no longer deal with a crisis on its own it can turn to the organisation. The organisation then forwards the appeal to other member states, which can then volunteer assistance. One example of this was two years ago when devastating forest fires were spreading around Sweden it turned to the Emergency Response Coordination Centre. A considerable response was forthcoming, Portugal sent two firefighting aircraft; Germany contributed five helicopters and 53 firefighters; Lithuania sent one helicopter and Norway eight. France dispatched 60 firefighters and two aircraft; Denmark sent 60 firefighters; Poland sent over 130 firefighters and more than 40 fire trucks. Italy itself sent two aircraft.
The European Union used this response to claim it is about more than tedious financial transactions it is also about helping fellow European countries in need. However, back in February when COVID-19 began to spread in Italy the country appealed for help via the Emergency Response Coordination Centre. Italy’s permanent representative to the EU, Maurizio Massari told the ‘Foreign Policy’ website: “We asked for supplies of medical equipment, and the European Commission forwarded the appeal to the member states, but it didn’t work.”
As of Monday the 16th of March not a single EU member state has sent Italy the supplies it needs. Over 1,800 people have died and whilst governments need to make sure they have enough supplies for their own hospitals, patients, and medical staff the lack of EU help has infuriated many in Italy. It is somewhat ironic that on March the 12th a Chinese aircraft landed in Rome carrying nine medical experts and 31 tons of medical supplies including intensive care unit equipment, medical protective equipment, and antiviral drugs. In addition to this, the Express are reporting quotes from Eunice Goes that Italy and Portugal are furious with the lack of EU assistance and slammed Europe, the need for EU help “is absolutely urgent and so far, that coordinated action has been found wanting”.
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Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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